Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-021
Qualification Requirements
for Alkyd Enamel Coating System (APCS-6)
Paints and Coatings Standards Committee Members

30 May 2009

Khashram, Maher Saud, Chairman

Hammad, Bakr Sulaiman, Vice Chairman
Seba, Zaki Ahmed
Mansour, Mana Hamad
Nujaim, Salah Ahmed
Homayed, Mohammed Ali
Suller, Abraham A

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents
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3
4
5
6

Scope............................................................
Conflicts and Deviations................................
References....................................................
General Requirements..................................
Qualification Tests and Requirements..........
Packaging Requirements..............................

Previous Issue: 31 July 2004 Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin
Primary contact: Khashram, Maher Saud on 966-3-8760261
CopyrightSaudi Aramco 2009. All rights reserved.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-021
Issue Date: 30 May 2009
Qualification Requirements
Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014
for Alkyd Enamel Coating System (APCS-6)

Scope
This Specification establishes the mandatory requirements for qualifying individual
coating products for use in Saudi Aramco's approved protective coating system
SAES-H-101, APCS-6. It shall be used when any of the following situations occur:
1.1

Initial Product Approval

This specification shall be given to coating manufacturers, or other vendors of
coating products, that wish to obtain initial approval for products that have not
previously been qualified for use by Saudi Aramco.

1.2

Purchase Requisitions/Purchase Orders

This specification shall be attached to Purchase Requisitions or Purchase Orders
when those documents address the procurement of coating products that have
not been previously qualified for use by Saudi Aramco.
Exception:
This specification does not apply and should not be included with Purchase
Orders or requisitions for coating products that have been previously qualified per
this specification. This specification should also not be included with purchase
orders or requisitions for coated items or equipment when a Saudi Aramco
approved protective coating system has been specified.

1.3

Periodic Product Compliance Checks

This specification may be used for periodic product compliance checks on
previously approved coatings. It shall be given to the organization conducting
the compliance tests.

Conflicts and Deviations

2.1

Any conflicts between this specification and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), Engineering Standards (SAESs),
Standard Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be
resolved in writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the
Manager, Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2

Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company
or Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure
SAEP-302 and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services
Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-021
Issue Date: 30 May 2009
Qualification Requirements
Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014
for Alkyd Enamel Coating System (APCS-6)

References
The selection of material and equipment, and the design, construction, maintenance, and
repair of equipment and facilities covered by this specification shall comply with the
latest edition of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.
a)

The date of the Purchase Order.

b)

The date testing is begun when there is no Purchase order.

3.1

Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure
SAEP-302

Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a

Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement

Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification

09-SAMSS-060

Packaging Requirements for Coatings

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard

SAES-H-101
APCS-6
3.2

Approved Protective Coating Systems, Alkyd

Enamel

Industry Codes and Standards

American Society for Testing and Materials
ASTM A36

Carbon Structural Steel

ASTM B117

Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus

ASTM D610

Evaluating Degree of Rusting on Painted Steel

Surfaces

ASTM D660

Evaluating Degree of Checking of Exterior Paints

ASTM D661

Evaluating Degree of Cracking of Exterior Paints

ASTM D714

Evaluating Degree of Blistering of Paints

ASTM D1640

Drying, Curing or Film Formation of Organic

Coatings at Room Temperature

ASTM D1654

Evaluation of Painted or Coated Specimens

Subjected to Corrosive Environments

ASTM D1849

Package Stability of Paint

Page 3 of 7

Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-021
Issue Date: 30 May 2009
Qualification Requirements
Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014
for Alkyd Enamel Coating System (APCS-6)

The Society for Protective Coatings

SP 6

Commercial Blast Cleaning

PA2

Measurement of Dry Paint Thickness with

Magnetic Gages

Vis 1

Pictorial Surface Preparation Standards for

Painting Steel Structures

Swedish Standards Institute

SIS 05 59 00 Sa 2
4

Thorough Blast Cleaning

General Requirements
4.1

For purposes of this specification the Buyer's Representative shall be the

Responsible Standardization Agency (RSA).

4.2

In order to qualify a coating system as acceptable under this specification, the

coating supplier shall submit a certified test report documenting that the
proposed coating system meets the qualification tests and requirements of this
SAMSS. Preparation and testing shall be performed and/or witnessed by an
independent laboratory or inspection agency. This report shall be submitted to
the Saudi Aramco RSA for review. The RSA shall decide if the data presented
by the Supplier satisfies all the requirements.

4.3

All initial product qualification tests shall be carried out at no cost to Saudi
Aramco.

Qualification Tests And Requirements

5.1

Physical Property Tests

5.1.1

Package Stability of Paint

Package stability shall be determined separately for the primer and the
topcoat. When stored at 52 + 1C for 6 months in accordance with
ASTM D1849, the sample(s) shall meet the following requirements:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Weight Loss
Skinning, Pressure or Corrosion
Settling
Grains, lumps or streaks

0
10
6 or better
8 or better

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-021
Issue Date: 30 May 2009
Qualification Requirements
Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014
for Alkyd Enamel Coating System (APCS-6)

5.1.2

Spray Properties
Spray properties shall be determined separately for the primer and the
topcoat. The primer shall be spray applied to a vertical surface at the wet
film thickness corresponding to a dry film thickness between 40 and 50
microns. The topcoat shall be spray applied to a separate vertical surface
at the wet film thickness corresponding to a dry film thickness between
25 and 50 microns. The freshly sprayed coatings shall show no tendency
to orange peel, sag, creep or run.

5.1.3

Brushing Properties
Brushing properties shall be determined separately for the primer and the
topcoat. Each coating shall be brush applied to a vertical surface. The
freshly applied coatings shall brush easily, possess good leveling
properties, provide uniform coverage and good hiding, and show no
running or sagging tendencies.

5.1.4

Drying Times
When tested in accordance with ASTM D1640, the dry times shall be
according to Table 1.
Table 1 - Drying Times

Fast Dry Primer

Standard Primer
Topcoat

5.2

Set To Touch
Minimum
Maximum
5 min.
15 min.
30 min.
2 hrs.
30 min.
2 hrs.

Dry Through
Minimum
Maximum
2 hrs.
16 hrs
48 hrs

Performance Tests
5.2.1

Steel Panel Preparation

5.2.1.1

Test panels shall be ASTM A36 hot rolled steel approximately

100 mm X 150 mm. Prior to preparing the surface, the
condition of the test panel shall be equivalent to SSPC-Guide
to Vis 1 Rust Grade A, Adherent Mill Scale. The minimum
thickness of the test panel shall be 5 mm.

5.2.1.2

The test panels shall be abrasive blast cleaned to a commercial

degree of cleanliness as defined by SSPC SP 6 and
SIS 05 59 00 Sa 2.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-021
Issue Date: 30 May 2009
Qualification Requirements
Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014
for Alkyd Enamel Coating System (APCS-6)

5.2.2

5.2.3

Coating Application
5.2.2.1

The primer shall be mixed, applied and cured in strict

accordance with the Vendor's recommendations. The primer
shall be applied in at least two coats at a maximum dry film
thickness of 50 microns per coat. The total dry film thickness
of the primer shall be a minimum of 85 microns. Dry film
thickness shall be measured and recorded in accordance with
SSPC PA2.

5.2.2.2

After allowing the primer to cure for the minimum amount of

time recommended by the before over coating, then the topcoat
shall be mixed, applied over the primer, and its curing time
shall be in accordance with the coating manufacture. The
topcoat shall be applied to reach the maximum dry film
thickness of 50 microns. The final dry film thickness of the
primer and topcoats shall be a minimum of 125 microns and a
maximum of 200 microns. Dry film thickness shall be
measured in accordance with SSPC PA2.

Coating Compatibility
Top coating by other coating system over the alkyd enamel (APCS-26)
coated steel panels, cured for 48 hours, shall be evaluated and it shall
show no evidence of wrinkling, blistering, lifting, or cohesion related
failures.

5.2.4

Adhesion
Prepare two panels in accordance with 5.2.1 and apply the complete
coating system in accordance with 5.2.2. Allow these panels to
completely cure in accordance with the dry through times in section
5.1.4. Score a line through to the metal across the width of the film
using a sharp pointed knife. The film shall then be taped perpendicular
to and across the score line with water resistant, pressure sensitive
20 mm wide adhesive tape. The tape shall be pressed in firm contact
with the film and shall extend approximately 25 mm on each side of the
score line. Allow approximately ten seconds for the test area to return to
room temperature. Grasp a free end of the tape and at a rapid speed,
strip it from the specimen by pulling the tape back upon itself at
180 degrees. No more than 1.5 mm of paint shall be removed from the
primer and/or the metal on either side of the score line.

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Document Responsibility: Paints and Coatings Standards Committee

09-SAMSS-021
Issue Date: 30 May 2009
Qualification Requirements
Next Planned Update: 30 May 2014
for Alkyd Enamel Coating System (APCS-6)

5.2.5

Aged Overcoating
Two panels shall be prepared in accordance with 5.2.1 and primed in
accordance with 5.2.2.1. After the panels have completely cured in
accordance with the dry through times in section 5.1.4 they shall be
placed in an oven for seven days at 82 + 2C. The panels shall then be
removed from the oven and allowed to condition in laboratory
environment for 24 hours. The topcoat(s) shall then be applied in
accordance with 5.2.2.2. Adhesion tests shall be performed per
paragraph 5.2.4. No more than 1.5 mm of topcoat shall be removed from
either side of the score line.

5.2.6

Salt Fog Performance

Prepare two panels in accordance with 5.2.1 and apply the complete
coating system in accordance with 5.2.2. Scribe the fully cured coating
system in accordance with ASTM D1654 and expose in a salt fog cabinet
in accordance with ASTM B117, Salt Spray (Fog) Testing. This
procedure shall be continued until the test panels are exposed for 500
hours in the salt fog cabinet. At the conclusion of the test, the coating
shall be evaluated for and shall meet the criteria shown in Table 2.
Table 2 - Salt Spray (Fog) Testing
Standard
ASTM D714, Evaluating Degree of
Blistering of Paint
ASTM D660, Evaluating Degree of
Checking of Exterior Paint
ASTM D661, Evaluating Degree of
Cracking of Exterior Paint
ASTM D610, Evaluating Degree of
Rusting on Painted Steel Surfaces
ASTM D1654, Evaluation of Painted or
Coated Specimens Subjected to
Corrosive Environments
Falling Sand Erosion

Acceptable Rating
8F
No Checking
No Cracking
9
Rust creep from the scribe shall not
exceed 2.5 mm.
Not more than 5% of the total average
thickness has been removed.

Packaging Requirements
Coatings shall be packaged in accordance with 09-SAMSS-060.

30 May 2009

Revision Summary
Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document and reissued
with editorial changes.

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